Elders and Deacons

It seems to me that the NT has a lot to say on the topic of leaders in the local church. This is one of the areas that we most need to develop here at our local fellowship. We are in the process of identifying people that would fit the biblical model for leadership.

Elders seem to be in charge of the more spiritual aspects of the church. Not that they are necessarily the most spiritual people (though it would certainly help), but that they are concerned with the spiritual well-being of the church. Things like prayer, fasting, decision-making in the will of God, spiritual direction, etc are all things that they should be looking at during the average week.

Deacons on the other hand are servant leaders. They are also very spiritual individuals, but they let that play out in acts of service within the local context. We are playing (use that term very loosely of course) with the idea of deacons and deaconesses (yes that's right, we are definitely considering women for this crucial area) for Crossroads. These would be the people that care for the daily needs of the body such as feeding the orphans and widows, taking care of the sick (hospital visitation etc), taking care of the facilities, etc. I know we would all agree that these important areas of ministry should not be neglected and would be better accomplished by those that are not only gifted, but ordained to do them.

So what think ye....who are some people that come to mind when you think of Elder or Deacon/Deaconess in the church?

I have a GREAT idea!!!!!

You know how scripture teaches that the older ought to teach the younger and that the younger should respect and honor the older?

What would you guys think about starting with COOKING!!!!!! Seriously, I think we could have a weekend where we all got together and took turns teaching how to do certain things involving cooking. I mean we could bring our kids and make it really interactive, move over Rachel Ray!

So what do you guys think? Like someone could teach us how to make homemade tamales (yeah you Jenny), someone else could show us how to make real chicken wings, or grill brats that will set you free, or make REAL BBQ, or make a cake from scratch, or homemade bread, or any number of things.

Maybe Darrell could show us how to brew homemade beer! Well he is a scientist afterall :)

Cmon, chime in, let's do this. We can set up the house at the church (or go to someone's house with plenty of room), and just cook all day on a Saturday. Or we could do it once or twice a month during the summer. Let's get it going!

Turning 50.......Wow

Tonight we went to a good friend's 50th birthday party, pretty amazing really. I can't even believe that 50 is so close and that so many of our friends are edging up on that momentous occasion. Trust me, you won't be able to believe it either "next year" (for that is what it will seem like) when you are looking at the big 5-0!

Gary Dollarhide made it to 50 and in amazing fashion. He looks young and acts even younger. I really wish I could look half as good as he did tonight. He is really an amazing man and one of the best Christian witnesses I've had the privilege of knowing. He and LuAnn have been good friends to us over the years; it was really a blessing to be there tonight.

If you have a friend like Gary and would like to comment about them, please feel free to do so. Also, if any of you know Gary, it would be nice to hear your testimonies about what he means or has meant to you and yours.

Finally I get to do beach ministry!

We'll the Payne's have decided to become extremely missional! We are leaving the 48 to go to the Islands (Hawaii of course) to catch some rays and do our best to be missional to the natives and tourists we meet.

We will be leaving next Saturday and staying there the 3rd thru 9th. Seriously, pray that the Lord will only let us be in awe of the beach and weather and waves for a little while so we can focus on brightening someone's day!

Aloha!

Eager Expectation

I can't begin to say how excited I am to see so many people looking forward to the Summer of Love! Thanks Garry for turning me on to that. I looked it up and got lots of cool info about it and we have adopted it as our missional thrust for the summer.

Question: Preaching service once, or twice a month on Sunday? I'm hearing several say that they'd like to limit the traditional "instruction/exhortation" part of Sunday to only once a month and go and be the church the other three Sundays. I'd like to know what you guys think about that.

Also, Court brought up a good idea, worship/coffee/announcements early on every Sunday and then leave together to go into the MISSION field. I like it, maybe not everytime, but it would help with communication and direction related to that weekend's adventure.

Let me know what you guys are thinking........

Can You Take Me Higher?

Well I just wanted to get some feedback on your thoughts about the lyrics from the Creed song Higher. We went over that song as part of our Missional discussion this morning, tying it in with Luke 4 and Luke 7 where Jesus was describing to those in the synagogue and some followers of John respectively, what it meant for Him to begin His public ministry. "The blind see, the deaf hear, . . . ." and primarily, "the gospel is preached to the poor." This is interestingly in the place of prominence in both accounts.

It sure makes me think that we have perhaps missed one of the greatest blessings of being the church in our generation; meeting the needs of the poor and the poor in spirit. As Creed puts it, "the only difference is to let love replace all of our hate." I know we would never admit to intentionally hating someone, but refusing anyone the chance to hear the good news of redemption and purpose and blessing, somehow that seems to add up to hate; not respecting them or the Lord enough to be salt and light in the culture that most needs it (and desires it).

What do you think would happen . . .

What do you think would happen if people showed up "for church" on Sunday and there was a sign on the door announcing "We are being the church today at The XYZ Nursing Home. Come and join us as we go . . ." (John 20:21).

Okay, seriuosly, how many would actually go (what %) and how many would start looking for a new church? How many would just throw up their hands in disgust or disbelief? How low would the offering go that day?

But, how many smiles would we generate? How many hearts would jump at our sight? What would that 85 year old grandmother who hasn't seen any family for months think/do when we all lined up to give her a hug? And what if we brought REAL food with us? You know, that home-cooked church kind of food? That might make some old guy do a jig!

And what if we had no agenda but to just go and spend time there, making new friends and enjoying the company of those older and wiser than us? Sure, if someone requested, we could all sing/hum (in my case) an old hymn or whatever, but just going to be salt and light and to let someone's light shine on us!!! Tell me that wouldn't possibly be an outstanding morning!

I can hear someone say, "What of preaching and worship? How would our week go without them?" Well I have 2 thoughts: 1) This one is more positive than the other so i'll put it in first. How about we meet on a different day or maybe even at a different place for that; and 2) Like missing that stuff is really going to make a difference for one week? I mean most of us are hearers anyway, so it's not like the sermon and worship and coffee are going to change us and make us go and DO anything this weak (yes I know how I spelled it).

So, what do you think would happen?